Water Purification

[Nuts]

What's everyone else doing for water purification? The last couple trips I have been using the UV water bottles. I like the fact that I simply dip it in the creek. Hit the button. And a minute later have drinkable water. No messing with anything. I feel a little like gen z carrying a stainless water bottle but it works so I roll with it. I can fill a bladder by pouring it in. It cycles UV fast enough to not annoy me. In a raft or hiking. Just scoop and press the button. Hoping it works as well as things like the straw. I haven't gotten sick yet and for sure have drank downstream of beavers.

 

[Salmonchaser]

Haven’t tried the uv yet, the straw was one of the best pieces of emergency equipment I added to my pack. I’ll be taking the UV system to Africa this year.

 

[Straight Arrow]

Our favorite backpacking water purifier is the Sweetwater filter and pump. I've had more than one and have used it for many years.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Sawyer inline filter with 2.5 gallon collapsible bags for camp. I've got an old Pur Hiker that I've had for 25 years. It still works.

 

[Caseknife]

I have started using the Steripen Ultra.

 

[MEIERJ88]

Sweetwater has been my go-to for over 10 years now. Simple and rugged.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Sawyer.

 

[The_Jim]

UV is a pita and doesn’t get any sediment out of the water - plus you’re relying on electronics in the backcountry.

I use the sawyer squeeze. It’s light, cheap, and I just keep it in my pocket so it doesn’t freeze. I carry dirty water in the collapsible bags and filter as I need it into 1 clean water Nalgene. The filter is cheap enough to buy a new one each season.

 

[R.K.]

I have a sawyer squeeze I like for backpacking or just general use.

I’ll use my older MSR waterworks if I can justify the weight or can’t fill the sawyer bladders.

I also have a Katadyn base camp 10L gravity filter if I ever have the need for it (long trip, multiple people), but haven’t yet.

Always liked the idea of a UV purifier, but I have this funny feeling about the threads not being clean/sterile when using the same container.

 

[Salmonchaser]

Im looking for simple, I didnt have water issues last time in Africa but if I can filter in addition to what they do in camp, life should be good.

 

[mxracer317]

Grayl. Won’t use anything else

 

[Rogerdoger]

BeFree filter, interchanges with the hydrapak bags, have a 4l in pack if needed for camp and then typically use a 1l for filtering on the go. It’s quick and easy. Or if I am wanting really quick I just use potable aqua tabs.

 

[OleRedbeard]

Used the sweetwater for many years and also the Katidyn. Both have been great. Really want to give the UV pen a go but dunno about the whole battery thing.

 

[ccc23454]

I like a actual filter and also a suction hose as seldom do i have running or deep water where I am refilling. My only experiance with pen was weird, looking at bugs (dead) and some organics in my bottle after stirring was not ideal. I have had same katidyn pump for 20ish years, works like champ and easy to care full just kind of heavy/bulky for how often I use it when backpacking. That pump has pulled drinking water out of some nasty and hard to reach holes with zero concern and minimal taste. I also tried a waterbottle with filter in it once, worked great as I was hiking a creek bed and wanted to try it but quickly realized how much volume the filter took up in bottle and had to refill more often than expected. Lots of personal preference with water filtration!

 

[PRO MO]

grayl geopress. it's pretty quick and reliable, but it's a bit bulky and heavy.

 

[Fatrack]

in these discussions, why doesnt anyone talk about using aquatabs. They are tiny, negligible in the pack and do the trick.

 

[Rogerdoger]

in these discussions, why doesnt anyone talk about using aquatabs. They are tiny, negligible in the pack and do the trick.

That’s what I use for my backup. I like the filter for times when the water source is really dirty.

Some people argue that it does not kill all types of parasites.

 

[Fatrack]

That’s what I use for my backup. I like the filter for times when the water source is really dirty.

Some people argue that it does not kill all types of parasites.

Good point. all water isn't the same. if its quick moving water in the mountains thats a lot different than water from a pond or silt filled water. just depends on the enviornment/conditions that I'll be in that will dictate the method

 

[Moserkr]

Ive used tabs, drops, pumps, inline, gravity, and pens. Theres a pile of unused items in my "water box". My least favorite is pumps. Tabs and drops are ok. Favorite is gravity for the simplicity and lack of effort to use.

Whats in my pack now is a water (dirty) bladder that holds 6L, purchased off amazon. Runs down 3' of tube to a sawyer filter, then another foot of tube with a cut off and a quick connect at the end. I can fill a 3L bladder without opening it or removing it from my pack, and carry another 6L of dirty water if needed. Only challenge is keeping the filter clean and I carry the back flushing plunger. Total weight is around 10oz for the water filter setup so not the lightest, but ease of use and capacity is really good. Can easily expand that capacity as well with another storage container. Total water filter setup cost was around $50, making it very cost effective too.

Best part about gravity is being able to do other things like snack, fish, hunt, or nap while it's filtering. Water is drinkable instantly so no waiting like tabs or drops, no weird tastes, water comes out clear. No pumping cause thats annoying to do and pumps are heavy.

 

[Dougfirtree]

in these discussions, why doesnt anyone talk about using aquatabs. They are tiny, negligible in the pack and do the trick.

I carry them in my pack and use them occaisionally. They will also work in cold weather, which is risky for most other devices. On my cold weather tent trip this Fall, we used a chlorine-based drop system and it was great. No worries about the filter freezing and very little taste.